GHR Honda Team Site & Blog
Archive for September, 2011
29.9.11 – Safari 2011 leg 6 wrap up
Sep 29th
As the sun sets on the penultimate leg of the 2011 Australasian Safari, GHR Honda riders Todd and Jacob Smith are still dominating the event on their CRF450X bikes developed in Mittagong, NSW.
Most of the other likely challengers have been beset by mechanical failure or injury, including Dakar Rally winner Cyril Despres who retired from the race this afternoon having sustained a lacerated foot. While Jacob Smith set the fastest time in the event prologue, it is his older brother who finished on top of the rankings for Leg 1 and has since maintained a sound lead through attentive navigation and judicious tactics.
Today’s leg consisted of two selective stages. SS12 Sturt Meadows I, a 236.42 km section which included a series of derelict roads and an optional splash and dash refuel. The 141.12km long SS13 Sturt Meadows II varied between roach station tracks and numerous fast flowing sections, finishing with a salt lake crossing.
Rider comments:
Todd Smith: “This morning I rode just to get through SS12 but I was surprised – I wasn’t actually much slower. When I saw the gap I had I backed off even more. Tomorrow if nothing goes wrong with the bike I should be right. I’m still really enjoying myself but I do find it tricky to walk that fine line between being careful and being too slow without the pressure.”
Jacob Smith: “Today we were just in a holding pattern. It was about consolidation, looking after the bike and getting it to the end. By this stage, everything hurts and there’s absolutely no use in binning it on the last days in pursuit of a few more minutes.”
Overall top 5 at end of Leg 6:
1st – #2 Todd Smith – 25:18:43
2nd – #6 Jacob Smith – 25:36:26
3rd – #56 Rod Faggotter – 26:14:02
4th – #72 Damien Grabham – 27:10:53
5th – #41 Ben Williams – 27:56:04
Other GHR riders:
10th – #27 David Geeves – 29:30:43
13th – #35 Charlie Ball – 31:07:46
14th – #25 Don Lark – 31:44:18
22nd – #40 Stuart Bowen – 34:47:01
29.9.11 – Safari 2011 Leg 6 – update #2
Sep 29th
Todd Smith, Shane Dieter and Jacob Smith have filed past the second spectator point, with both GHR riders appearing to take it easy through the gate and past the spectators. Cyril Despres appears to be out of the race and has ridden past on the main road behind the parked cars, presumably headed back to Leonora.
29.9.11 – Safari 2011 Leg 6 – update
Sep 29th
We are currently sitting at the second of the spectator points for the day overlooking a surrounded by paddocks carpeted with yellow flowers. We watched the whole bike field and the first few cars at the first point about 35km from Leonora. The Smith boys looked in fine form as they rounded the gates and took off down the fence line, and all other GHR riders came through cleanly.
Glen Grundy flew out to Kalgoorlie this morning after a stay in hospital overnight. He will be assessed and a course of action planned. We hope he can at least stay in Kalgoorlie to see the finish of the event.
The day has claimed at least one bike through mechanical failure already. We’ll post an update as soon as the bikes come through here.
28.9.11 – Safari Leg 5 wrap up
Sep 29th
Leg 5 between Laverton and Leonora was a fateful day for many more of the moto competitors. It was the first marathon leg of the Safari, where no team servicing is permitted and the riders must be self sufficient to solve mechanical problems.
Yamaha mounted Shane Diener led out of the gate this morning for the 86.08km road section to the SS10 Minigwal stage, followed by GHR riders Jacob and Todd Smith. Through the 215.35km stage held on fast station tracks Diener set impressive pace at the front, and gained time on the Condobolin brothers. However, following the mid-leg refuel, Diener was rendered immobile by mechanical issues during the 164.24km SS11 Yundamindra stage. This returned the Condobolin brothers to the top two positions overall and Yamaha rider Rod Faggotter moved into third. Knowing that their competition was faltering, both riders rode the rest of the day with self preservation first and foremost on their minds.
There were some who came to grief and the helicopters were kept busy with medical evacuations. In an awfully ironic way, the Safari is over for South African Glen Grundy having been accidentally omitted from the standings posted for Leg 4. Glen has crashed in ruts and fractured his clavicle. He is to be flown to Kalgoorlie for assessment and possible treatment. The remaining 6 GHR bikes will all start tomorrow after end of day servicing.
Rider comments:
Jacob Smith: “Shane was definitely on a run today through that first section! I was going as hard as I dared, but he was too quick to catch and completely deserved to win that one. Later when I saw he’d had problems and stopped I backed right off.
Todd Smith: “The first selective this morning was a rerun of a stage from 2009 I think, and it was just as hard as last time. The second stage had plenty to catch you out and once I saw Shane was out I definitely slowed down and rode for a secure finish rather than a fast one.
Stuart Bowen: “I actually found today easier than previous days. I got stuck in some dust when Don Lark had finished his brakes and Annie Seel was hanging behind and looked like she didn’t want to pass. I decided I was safer out of their dust and went by. I’m just wanting to finish and it seems like a race of attrition at times! My folks are traveling with me which is great for support and certainly gives them a different kind of holiday.”
Overall top 5 at end of Leg 5:
1st – #2 Todd Smith – 21:06:07
2nd – #6 Jacob Smith – 21:18:21
3rd – #56 Rod Faggotter – 21:51:36
4th – #5 Cyril Despres – 22:17:25
5th – #72 Damien Grabham – 22:46:45
Other GHR riders:
10th – #27 David Geeves – 24:50:07
14th – #25 Don Lark – 26:15:08
16th – #35 Charlie Ball – 26:19:51
26th – #40 Stuart Bowen – 29:52:37
28.9.11 – Leg 5 update
Sep 28th
The GHR Honda fuel carrier is at the morning refuel point running on the BGAN Explorer 500.
Just an addendum on the Leg 4 wrap up from yesterday. South African #8 rider Glen Grundy was omitted from the outgoing press release but he is definitely still circulating. As of the end of yesterday he was in 30th position with a total time of 24:30:40.
We’re waiting to see if the flying finish for the stage ends up being cut short of the refuel. We’ve been told by the stewards at the stop control that the zero car has been held up with a flat tyre. If there’s a risk of the front runners catching the car before it arrives at the fuel stop the stage may be cut short. We’ll keep you posted on the progress.
27.9.11 – Safari Leg 4
Sep 28th
Leg 4 is done and dusted, and with three days of the 2011 Safari remaining GHR rider Todd Smith still has a solid hold on the lead.
The day comprised three special stages.
The 85.31km SS7 Lehmann Loop ventured eastwards after traversing technical mining roads, and a 2.17km road section brought the riders to the start of SS8 Cosmo. The middle of this 129.55km selective featured a fast section of bends with ruts and multiple erosion warnings. Another short road section lead to the final SS9 Great Victoria stage was a 241.21km and varied mix of station tracks, mine roads, sand dunes, rock sections and boggy areas.
Rider comments:
Todd Smith: “Another good day up front. Shane Diener pulled some time on me today I think. We definitely did some revving today! You be flat out for 10ks straight, then turn and have the same again and again. The leading three remained fairly close to the finish, but it feels good to be where I want to be.”
Jacob Smith: “I really couldn’t have done that second stage any quicker today. I was picking the corners early and just nailing them all the way round. Today was seriously fun – the sections with the bends just had incredible grip because of the rains recently. Dead set, if riders didn’t enjoy today they really shouldn’t be riding a bike. It’s Todd’s race to lose now but we’re going to keep working together and we’ll see how Shane goes with some pressure from us behind while he’s leading.”
Overall top 5 at end of Leg 4:
1st – #2 Todd Smith – 17:05:57
2nd – #6 Jacob Smith – 17:15:50
3rd – #31 Shane Diener – 17:16:19
4th – #56 Rod Faggotter – 17:35:19
5th – #5 Cyril Despres – 18:06:14
Other GHR riders:
9th #27 David Geeves – 19:58:56
15th – #25 Don Lark – 21:13:20
17th – #35 Charlie Ball – 21:30:08
32nd – #40 Stuart Bowen – 24:58:59
26.9.11 – Safari Leg 3 wrap up
Sep 27th
SS5 and SS6 made Leg 3 a long and brutal day for the all competitors. Repairs and servicing are continuing into the night at the Laverton bivouac.
Stage lengths
SS5 Altona 242.70km
SS6 Darlot 317.94km
Damien Grabham was fastest in SS5, followed by Cyril Despres, Matthew Fish and then GHR riders Todd Smith and Jacob Smith. The bikes were serviced, fuelled and sent on their way for SS6 which included a mid stage refuel at Nambi. Todd Smith fired down the fence that terminated at the refuel point well clear of brother Jacob who had crashed heavily but was still the second to arrive. Jacob’s tumble over the bars left him with an injured foot, but he wasted no time remounting his machine after cleaning his goggles and taking on fuel at the stop.
Yamaha rider Shane Diener was fastest in SS6, followed by Todd Smith, Rod Faggotter Jacob Smith and Ben Williams. Frenchman Cyril Despres also finished down the order for SS6 in 10th for the stage.
All other GHR riders made it through the day which saw a number of medical evacuations and mechanical failures, including last year’s winner Ben Grabham out of contention with an engine failure, and #3 KTM rider Matt Fish ride into refuel with his rear tyre around his waist.
Top 6 overall at the end of Leg 3 as follows:
1st – Todd Smith – 12:47:10
2nd – Jacob Smith – 12:57:49
3rd – Shane Diener – 13:01:35
4th – Rod Faggotter – 13:10:27
5th – Damien Grabham – 13:26:27
6th – Cyril Despres – 13:31:27
Other GHR rider overall placings:
10th – David Geeves – 14:50:58
16th – Don Lark – 15:58:01
21st – Charlie Ball – 16:44:28
27th – Glen Grundy – 18:50:42
29th – Stuart Bowen – 19:36:05
Rider comments:
#2 Todd Smith: “Today was a great day. I just cruised in the first special and didn’t take risks knowing it was a long day. The second selective stage was more difficult especially since I rode most of it with no rear brakes. Again, finding the way was hard but they were fast tracks. I couldn’t hear anyone behind me so I slowed down to ensure that I didn’t miss any calls. The lack of mistakes certainly made up for my slower riding. I’m very happy.”
#35 Charlie Ball: “This was my first big day. You really need to prepare for these ones with plenty of food and water. You need to prepare for anything, even getting lost. Even though today was supposed to be more flowing, there was plenty to contend with for someone in my position in the field. Many of the tracks were sandy, but we had a bit of everything.”
26.9.11 – Leg 3 update from refuel
Sep 26th
All GHR riders have been in to refuel. Todd Smith came in first in good shape and his only issue was his rear brakes were finished. Jacob was in next – he’s had a tumble over the bars but fueled up and got moving quickly. Yamaha rider Shane Diener was in next followed by Cyril Despres and Damien Grabham rounding up the first 5 arrivals.
Matt Fish came in with his rear tyre mounted around his waist and will incur a penalty for mounting a new tyre and mousse. We are also told that Ben Grabham has a blow engine and is stuck mid selective.
There have been at least another dozen riders and a couple of quads in too. Craig Lowndes and one of the Coconut Resort cars has arrived, so the rest of the moto competitors will have been passed by at least two cars.
More as it comes to hand.
GHR Honda, internet in the outback!
Sep 26th
The GHR refuel vehicle is currently set up at the Nambi splash and dash point for Leg 3, connected to the world via satellite communications provided by Allsatphones. The service crew are carrying two Inmarsat satellite handsets and use of a Thrane & Thrane BGAN Explorer 500 base unit for data and voice.
We hope to keep you all posted on the action from the day when the boys all come in for refuel. They are not expected for some time yet.
Stay tuned!
26.9.11 – Safari Leg 3
Sep 26th
Todd and Jacob rode out of camp to the bivouac departure point just before 7.00am and the other riders were warming up their bikes shortly after. Thankfully, Stuart Bowen is up and about, walking normally on a bandaged foot and is a definite starter for the day. The rest of the GHR support vehicles began to head off to their various destinations at 7.20am. The start times have all been brought forward 30 minutes this morning, giving the competitors an earlier start on what will be a very long and potentially decisive day. Reportedly the course will be a more open, faster flowing pair of selective with a service in the morning at Agnew and a refuel at Nambi. The day’s bivouac will be in Laverton.
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